Black Flag logo
In '67 the first 100 watt amplifiers known to feature a sturdy steel chassis instead of an aluminum one were available. The new chassis made it possible to reduce costs and increase the strength. Their front panel in Plexiglas sported only the label “J.T.M.” on a black background, also used on JTM50 of the same period, so these amplifiers were nicknamed Black Flag. They are also frequently called JTM100 to differentiate them from the earlier JTM45/100.
The output transformers initially used were the Drake 1202-119, but soon, in June '67, they were replaced by the Drake 1202-132, causing a slight decrease in bass. The use of 270K resistors, instead of 470K, in the second-production Black Flags (and later-produced amps) led to a slight increase in gain and midrange.
Some guitarists noted problems attributable to ghost notes at high volumes, both with the original amps and their faithful copies. In addition, the transformers were too close together, sometimes generating annoying buzzing noises.
Jimi Hendrix was first seen with a Black Flag on June 18, 1967 in Monterey, and used it extensively between late '67 and spring '68. This amp was also used for recording the crunch parts of Axis’s: Bold as Love and probably also for recordings of BBC Session, Voodoo Child and Catfish Blues. Several pictures also show Paul Kossoff with a Black Flag.
The output transformers initially used were the Drake 1202-119, but soon, in June '67, they were replaced by the Drake 1202-132, causing a slight decrease in bass. The use of 270K resistors, instead of 470K, in the second-production Black Flags (and later-produced amps) led to a slight increase in gain and midrange.
Some guitarists noted problems attributable to ghost notes at high volumes, both with the original amps and their faithful copies. In addition, the transformers were too close together, sometimes generating annoying buzzing noises.
Jimi Hendrix was first seen with a Black Flag on June 18, 1967 in Monterey, and used it extensively between late '67 and spring '68. This amp was also used for recording the crunch parts of Axis’s: Bold as Love and probably also for recordings of BBC Session, Voodoo Child and Catfish Blues. Several pictures also show Paul Kossoff with a Black Flag.
Antonio Calvosa
